City Beat: City plaza rezoning makes way for development

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The city of Springfield has taken further steps to spur public-private development in the government plaza. |ret||ret||tab|

At its June 3 City Council meeting, council unanimously passed a rezoning of city-owned land in the Government Plaza area bordered by Jefferson Avenue on the east, Chestnut Expressway on the south, Boonville Avenue on the west and Central Street on the north. |ret||ret||tab|

It was rezoned from a government and institutional use district to a center city district so that development could occur there. City Manager Tom Finnie said a request for proposal is out in the development community to generate interest from a private developer. Possibilities include a high-rise office building and a parking deck.|ret||ret||tab|

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Police substation vehicle|ret||ret||tab|

Council heard a first reading bill that would allow Finnie to accept a $122,957 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance to assist in purchasing a mobile police substation vehicle for the Springfield Police Department.|ret||ret||tab|

Finnie said it would be used for internal purposes like stakeouts and hostage situations, as well as neighborhood meetings or picnics. |ret||ret||tab|

"We think it will be very helpful for the increasing amount of neighborhood events that the police are involved in," Finnie said.|ret||ret||tab|

The federal government covers 90 percent of the cost, leaving the city to pay $13,662, Finnie added.|ret||ret||tab|

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Rezoning issues|ret||ret||tab|

All five public hearing bills presented to Council were for land rezoning and totaled nearly 18 acres.|ret||ret||tab|

The largest plat was the 14.8 acres of land located on the south side of the 2200-2300 blocks of East Catalpa Street, near Barnes Avenue. That bill also met the greatest public opposition.|ret||ret||tab|

The bill would change the plat from a singlefamily residential district to a residential townhouse district. Developer Mike Dobbs is proposing a duplex community if the land is rezoned.|ret||ret||tab|

Several neighbors spoke in opposition citing drainage problems on the lot. "There is no drainage to that property," said neighbor Jerry Hunnell, who has lived in the neighborhood for 50 years. He added that he has seen four nearby homes removed because of flooding.|ret||ret||tab|

Increased traffic in the area was another concern. Hunnell said the intersection of Catalpa and Oak Grove Avenue has 2,000 to 3,000 cars pass through it daily.|ret||ret||tab|

The developer said he was surprised at the opposition. Dobbs views the land as an "eyesore" and said the new community would help get rid of that problem. To resolve the drainage issues, he has hired Branson's Rozell Engineering & Survey Co. to perform environmental studies.|ret||ret||tab|

Another bill would rezone about two acres of Ozarks Technical Community College-owned property for use as a school parking lot. The land on the west side of the 900 block of North National Avenue and 927 N. Hampton Ave. would be rezoned from a residential townhouse district and a limited business district to a government and institutional use district. Zoning Administrator Andy Furedy said the action would be consistent with OTC's master plan.|ret||ret||tab|

City Council will vote on the rezoning issues June 17.|ret||ret||tab|

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Satellite bank|ret||ret||tab|

All consent agenda bills passed unanimously, including the approval of the final development plan for a new satellite building for The Bank. The facility will go on 2.57 acres of land at 3939 S. Fremont Ave. A final site plan will need to be approved by the administrative review committee before building permits are issued.|ret||ret||tab|

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